Filled with skyscrapers, street markets, palaces, and temples, Seoul is a buzzing hub of energy and enterprise mixed with tradition and serenity. In just 50 years Seoul has grown to one of the world's most modern and vibrant megacities and one of the hottest tourist destinations in Asia.

At first glance, Seoul is a city in a hurry. New development is shooting up around town and everyone, it seems, is rushing somewhere. This is as true in the modern business districts as it is in the maze of markets. But Seoul also has pockets of quiet—parks and palaces where the pace of life slows to a crawl as soon as one enters. While Seoul's main draw is experiencing this contrast of energy and tranquility, the city is full of excellent food, interesting arts and crafts, and has a number of impressive historic sites. Seoul is an intense city, and while great for urban explorers, travelers looking for a more relaxing experience may not want to spend too much of their trip here.